They say that timing is everything. Valuations are on their way up, so when will they reach their peak? Well, past evidence would suggest that valuations build over five or more years and the low point was in the first quarter of 2009. But this is missing the point. The market in general may be moving steadily up, but your sector may already be at or near its high. Your particular company may have reached a point where the risk of a downturn in its performance in the future is significant. Selling a growing company on an upward market is one thing, trying to find buyers for a troubled company, when its sector has past its peak, is completely different. In the UK we face a period of uncertainty a large government deficit, a tight General Election, leading to an indecisive government. This would be viewed negatively by the markets. Would your business suffer from a dip back in to recession in 2011, and if so, would it be better to consider a sale now?